Apple CarPlay Expands to Pontoon Boats with On-Water Navigation
Apple's CarPlay system is coming to select pontoon boats, offering boaters access to navigation features, weather forecasts, and more. The system will be available on new Balise and Crest Conquest and Caribbean models starting in 2027. Savvy Navvy, a company working with Apple, will provide the navigation features.
Key points
- Apple CarPlay will be integrated into select pontoon boats from Crest and Balise starting in 2027.
- The system will offer on-water navigation features, including nautical charts, GPS tracking, and live weather forecasts.
- Savvy Navvy, a company working with Apple, will provide the navigation features through the CarPlay system.
- The first compatible models will launch next month, with a limited Savvy Navvy Premium subscription included.
- The system will be available on iOS and Android devices with any compatible display.
Apple's CarPlay system is expanding to a new frontier: the water. Pontoon boat manufacturers Crest and Balise, owned by MasterCraft Boat Holdings, have announced that they will be integrating CarPlay into their new models starting in 2027. This will allow boaters to access navigation features, weather forecasts, and more directly from the helm of their boat.
The system will be powered by Savvy Navvy, a company working with Apple to bring CarPlay to the water. Savvy Navvy will provide the navigation features, including nautical charts, GPS tracking, and live weather forecasts. The system will also allow boaters to search for places, such as marinas and harbors, and share their location with friends.
The first compatible models will launch next month, with a limited Savvy Navvy Premium subscription included. The system will be available on iOS and Android devices with any compatible display.
This move marks a significant expansion of CarPlay beyond the road, and could have implications for the boating industry as a whole. As more manufacturers begin to integrate CarPlay into their boats, it's likely that we'll see a shift towards more modern and user-friendly infotainment systems on the water.
Sources
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